Talk to me about monopods and what sort of head for a long lens..

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stevewestern

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I have just bought a 150-600mm lens, and having never used anything as long before I am fast learning (ok, ok, more like slowly grasping) the fact that I'll need a monopod and some sort of head that will allow me to point the thing at moving subjects fairly easily while allowing me to use shutter speeds below that which I can hand-hold.

I would rather not spend a massive amount, as I don't have a massive amount to spend, but some guidance would be much appreciated, so educate me please !
 
Have a look at the Manfrotto 393. Less than £130
 
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in a way a lightweight tripod is better than a monopod - in that you can use it as a tripod and also just put the three legs together a you have a good monopod - that's what I do as I have never really got on with the monopod that I have
 
i just screw the mono pod to the lens and adjust as i need, no head needed.
 
Do you have a tripod >?

If yes,

Then some sort of gimbal head is very useful...

Manfrotto 393 (as mentioned above)
Lensmaster ....
Wimberley ...

They aren't great when mounted on Monopods - a basic head manfrotto 232 or even just mounting the camera straight on to the pod works ok...
 
HoppyUK said:
Similar thread here https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/some-help-with-monopod-wimberley-sidekick.612324/
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Studio488 said:
i just screw the mono pod to the lens and adjust as i need, no head needed.
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Thanks for the replies and the link Richard, which I've just been reading.
Given that this lens is so different to what I usually use I have no idea even if I'll keep it for long, so Craig, your suggestion appeals !
However, from what I understand, a head will make everything smoother and more predictable and keep things small

OldCarlos said:
Have a look at the Manfrotto 393. Less than £130
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This looks rather serious, big and heavy for me at this stage.
I guess I'll need to go to a store to have a look and a play, or maybe even the photography show.

Diving Pete said:
Do you have a tripod >?
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I do have an old Redsnapper tripod which gets dusted off once or twice a year for family shots, and I kind of feel a monopod will be taken out more often as it is so much easier to carry.
 
I was the one who started the other thread. I've been looking at tripods instead of monopods but trouble is the weight! My current monopod is 700g, the lightest tripod I can find is 1kg and way ou t of my budget.
 
Chris, Redged TSC 427k plus RNB-2N Head

I think that the company no longer trades but I think Amazon still have them

The non CF is cheaper and there is not much difference in weight

search EBay for a used one
 
htid said:
I was the one who started the other thread. I've been looking at tripods instead of monopods but trouble is the weight! My current monopod is 700g, the lightest tripod I can find is 1kg and way ou t of my budget.
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I agree - the weight plus the bulk of a tripod makes it less of a 'must-take-with-me' item when going out with my camera - A monopod with a small head has to be easier, and while maybe not so ultimately stable has to be better than nothing.
 
I use a monopod a lot. I carry it just in case more often than not. I find a head more of a nuisance than a benefit. I bolt the camera straight onto the headless monopod. The annoyance of the occasional shot where I need to tip it so much I take the pod off the ground, or hold it sideways for a portrait orientation shot, is more than compensated for by the convenience of having the camera so sturdily and firmly perfectly aligned with the 'pod.
 
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stevewestern said:
This looks rather serious, big and heavy for me at this stage.
I guess I'll need to go to a store to have a look and a play, or maybe even the photography show.
Click to expand...

They are a bit bulkier than others, but not that much heavier than some & for the money really good value imo.

A mate using mine on a manfrotto 680B mono.

14wd6kl.jpg
 
I use the Manfrotto 234RC on a monopod, it's about £25 and simply tilts the lens up and down. I also slacken the tripod collar a little to allow the camera to swivel between portrait and landscape.
 
stevewestern said:
Thanks for the replies and the link Richard, which I've just been reading.
Given that this lens is so different to what I usually use I have no idea even if I'll keep it for long <snip>
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Very long and heavy lenses like 150-600 are not easy to use well, and the problem is mostly behind the camera ;) If you don't give both yourself and the lens the best chance to shine, ie with proper support of some kind, then you probably won't keep it and complain about 'poor copy' problems, focusing inaccuracy and all the other issues that come up from people that have tried and failed, and blame the kit.
 
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HoppyUK said:
Very long and heavy lenses like 150-600 are not easy to use well, and the problem is mostly behind the camera ;) If you don't give both yourself and the lens the best chance to shine, ie with proper support of some kind, then you probably won't keep it and complain about 'poor copy' problems, focusing inaccuracy and all the other issues that come up from people that have tried and failed, and blame the kit.
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I'll take the fact that I know nothing about using this sort of lens so will struggle, but am not sure about me possibly ending up complaining about a poor copy and blaming it rather than me.
If I don't keep it, it'll be mainly due to not needing the focal length - I am fully aware of how limited my skills are, and blaming that on my kit would be rather silly, as most of what I own is good enough for many of the best photographers out there..
 
I wouldn't worry about it. Try the lens and see how you get on with it and whether it suits your needs.
Sometimes sharpness issues can be fixed through changing technique, using a support or micro adjustment with a usb dock/in camera setting or a mixture of them all. There are occassions where the lens is just a 'bad copy' though and all the photographer can do to fix it is send it in for repair.
 
chris malcolm said:
I use a monopod a lot. I carry it just in case more often than not. I find a head more of a nuisance than a benefit. I bolt the camera straight onto the headless monopod. The annoyance of the occasional shot where I need to tip it so much I take the pod off the ground, or hold it sideways for a portrait orientation shot, is more than compensated for by the convenience of having the camera so sturdily and firmly perfectly aligned with the 'pod.
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This. Although I use the collar on the only lens I use it with (400mm f2,8) to rotate it to portrait.
 
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